Method of transporting poultry

ABSTRACT

A method for transporting poultry in a coop trailer that includes a trailer section which can carry a number of tiers of poultry cages on its bed and has a vertically oriented tarpaulin system mounted thereon. The tarpaulin system includes tarpaulins which are suspended from a cable that extends between the front and rear ends of the trailer section. The tarpaulins can rapidly and easily be drawn back and forth along the sides of the trailer section to cover and uncover the cages. When the tarpaulins are fully extended along the sides of the trailer section, the tarpaulins effectively aid in preventing the birds from being buffeted about by excessive wind as the coop trailer travels along the roads. The tarpaulins also aid in maintaining a more constant temperature within the trailer section. The tarpaulins can be quickly and easily withdrawn and rotated to lay adjacent one of the front and rear ends of the trailer section and can be secured in that position so as to allow for the loading or removal of the cages from the trailer section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/978,080filed Oct. 26, 2007, which is a divisional application of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/377,779 filed Mar. 16, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No.7,287,807, which application claimed priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/662,204 filed Mar. 16, 2005; the entirespecifications of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to methods of transportation. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a method for transportinglivestock. Specifically, the invention relates to a method fortransporting poultry in a coop trailer that includes a tarpaulin systemand in which a tarpaulin is drawn across the trailer to cover thepoultry cages during transport to reduce the number of deaths of thebirds from buffeting and exposure.

2. Background Information

One of the most common ways for transporting poultry around the countryfrom farm to farm or from farm to processing plant is through the use oflarge, specially designed transport trucks called coop trailers. Thesecoop trailers typically have several tiers of cages within them intowhich the poultry is loaded. In the winter months, the birds tend tohuddle together to keep warm and in the summer they fight for shade.This causes the weaker birds to suffocate. Furthermore, the rapid flowof air through the coop trailer as it travels along the highways canlead to the birds losing a lot of feathers. This decreases their abilityto stay warm in winter and cool in summer and consequently leads to agreater loss of life. These losses increase the costs of transportingand processing poultry.

There is therefore a need in the art for providing a coop trailer andmethod for transporting poultry which tends to aid in reducing thenumber of deaths of the birds during transportation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a method of transporting poultry in acoop trailer that has a number of tiers of poultry cages and has avertically oriented tarpaulin system disposed on either side of thetrailer section thereof. In this system, a tarpaulin is suspended fromeach of a pair of spaced-apart cables that extend from the front to therear of the trailer section and along the sides thereof. While thepoultry is being transported, the tarpaulins are drawn along the sidesof the trailer section to substantially prevent wind flow therethrough.The system is also provided with a pair of rotatable spars onto whichthe tarpaulins may be retracted. The spars are rotated so that thetarpaulins are moved from laying adjacent the sides of the trailersection to adjacent one of the front and rear ends of the trailersection. When the cages are to be loaded onto or removed from thetrailer section, the tarpaulins are retracted from along the sides ofthe trailer section and are rotated to lay adjacent the one of the frontand rear ends thereof. A securing mechanism is provided to keep thetarpaulins in contact with the one of the front and rear ends of thetrailer section when the tarpaulins are in this position. The securingmechanism may include rotatable gates, straps and a portion of each thecables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best modein which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is setforth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and isparticularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appendedclaims.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a coop trailer with a verticaltarpaulin system drawn over the sides thereof to block free flow of airtherethrough;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the coop trailer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the coop trailer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the uppermost circle shown in FIG. 1showing the upper pulley of the tarpaulin system in greater detail;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the lowermost circle in FIG. 1showing the lower winch of the tarpaulin system in greater detail;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional rear view of the lower winch;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the trailer section showing thesupport spars and tarpaulin secured in abutting contact with the rearend of the trailer section;

FIG. 8 is a partial top view of the rear end of the trailer sectionshowing the support spars in abutting contact with the rear end of thetrailer section;

FIG. 9 is a partial top view of the rear end of the trailer sectionshowing the support spars being rotated into position for use;

FIG. 10 is a partial top view of the rear end of the trailer sectionshowing the tarpaulin being held on the support spars;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the trailer section showingtarpaulin on the support spars as in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the trailer section showing thefirst and second sections of the cable being readied for attachment toeach other;

FIG. 13 is side elevational view of the trailer section showing thecable sections joined together;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the trailer section showing thecable drawn taut for carrying the tarpaulin;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the trailer section showing thetarpaulin drawn toward the front end of the trailer section and with afirst panel secured in place;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the trailer section showing thetarpaulin drawn closer to the front end of the trailer section and witha second panel secured in place;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the trailer section showing thetarpaulin drawn even closer to the front end of the trailer section andwith a third panel secured in place; and

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the trailer section with thetarpaulin drawn across the entire length of the side of the trailersection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a poultry coop trailer inaccordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 10.Trailer 10 typically includes a tractor section 12 and a trailer section14. Trailer section 14 is designed to carry a plurality of tiered cages16 in which poultry (not shown) may be transported. Coop trailer 10further includes a tarpaulin system, generally indicated at 18 which isused to selectively cover the sides 20 of trailer section 14 as needed.

Tarpaulin system 18 comprises a pair of tarpaulins 22 each mounted via aplurality of rings 24 onto one of a pair of cables 26. The followingdescription references only one cable 26 and its associated tarpaulin22, but it will be understood that it applies to both of the cables 26and sheets 22.

Each cable 26 is used to support one of the tarpaulins 22 so that thesheet 22 may be selectively drawn across trailer section 14 or retractedtherefrom. Cable 26 is comprised of a first section 26 a and a secondsection 26 b that may be detachably joined together. First section 26 aof each cable 26 has a first end 28 and a second end (not shown) with alength of cable disposed thereinbetween. Similarly, second section 26 bhas a first end 34 and a second end 36 with a length of cablethereinbetween. The second end of first section 26 a is secured to alower winch 32, a portion of cable 26 is wound around winch 32, extendsupwardly, wraps around an upper pulley 30 and terminates in the firstend 28 thereof. Second end 36 of second section 26 b is secured to asupport spar 38 mounted on a rear end 52 (FIG. 2) of trailer section 14,and a portion of cable 26 extends outwardly away therefrom andterminates in first end 34. First ends 28 and 34 are selectivelysecurable to each other as will be hereinafter described so that cable26 extends effectively between lower winch 32 and support spar 38.

Each tarpaulin 22 is made up of a plurality of panels 40, 42, 44 and 46which are connected together at stiffening ribs 48. Rings 24 are securedto the upper edges of each of panels 40, 42, 44 and 46 and are alsoconnected to the upper ends of each rib 48. Cable 26 is threaded throughrings 24 on tarpaulin 22 so that the sheet is suspended therefrom andmay be drawn along cable 26 in a manner similar to a drape on a curtainrod. A first end of panel 42 is connected to a first rib 48 a and asecond end is connected to a second rib 48 b. A first end of panel 44 isconnected to second rib 48 b and a second end thereof is connected tothird rib 48 c. A first end of panel 46 is connected to third rib 48 cand a second end thereof is connected to fourth rib 48 d. Finally, afirst end of panel 46 is connected to fourth rib 48 d and a second endthereof is connected to a vertical support rod 50 which is mounted atthe intersection of side 20 of trailer section 14 and rear end 52thereof. Ribs 48 a, 48 b, 48 c and 48 d are movably supported on cable22 and support rod 50 is fixedly mounted. Support spar 38 extendsoutwardly away from rod 50 and is pivotable about rod 50.

As may be seen in FIG. 5, the lower end of each rib 48 a-48 d is securedto a connector 58 a, 58 b, 58 c and 58 d, respectively. In eachinstance, a bolt 56 of any one of the connectors 58 clamps the lower endof the rib 48 against side 20 of trailer section 14 and prevents thesame from moving. It will be understood that other securing means couldbe provided to lock lower ends of ribs 48 a-48 d to sides 20. Forexample, an aperture (not shown) may be provided in the lower end of therib and the bolt 56 could pass through the aperture. Connectors 58 arepositioned at intervals along each the side 20 of trailer section 14.The intervals correspond to the spacing between adjacent ribs 48 ontarpaulin 22 when the sheet is in a fully extended state. When tarpaulin22 is drawn across the side 22 of trailer section 14, the lower ends ofribs 48 a-48 d are secured in place by connectors 5. Because theintervals between adjacent connectors 58 correspond to the distancebetween adjacent ribs, 48 a-48 d, panels 40, 42, 44, 46 are pulled taut.This keeps tarpaulins 22 in close contact with sides 20 of trailersection 14 and blocks access to cages 16.

A mechanism is also provided for securing tarpaulins 22 when they arefully retracted and are not covering sides 20 of trailer section 14.This mechanism includes a plurality of gates 60 that extend outwardlyaway from rod 50 (FIG. 1) and in substantially the same direction assupport spar 38. Gates 60 are pivotable about rod 50 between a firstposition where they lie along rear end 52 of trailer section 14 (FIG. 7)and a second position where they lie along the side 20 of trailersection 14 (FIG. 1). Gates 60 are selectively secured against rear end52 of trailer section 14 by catches 62 (FIG. 3). A plurality of straps64 (FIG. 3) are also provided to hold tarpaulin 22 against rear end 52of trailer section 14. Additionally, the first ends 34 of second cablesection 26 b preferably are drawn across tarpaulins 22 and are connectedto pins 66 (FIG. 7). This not only holds sheets 22 in place, but alsoprevents cable 26 from flapping around.

Referring to FIGS. 6-18, coop trailer 10 is used to transport poultry inthe following manner. Birds, such as chickens or turkeys, are placed incages 16 to be loaded into coop trailer 10. In order for cages 16 to beloaded onto trailer section 14, tarpaulins 22 have to be in a retractedposition. This means that sheets 22 are drawn back toward the rear end52 of trailer section 14 and preferably are secured in the positionshown in FIG. 7, so that they do not interfere with cages 16. Onceloaded, cages 16 are secured in place in a conventional manner.Tarpaulin system 18 is then engaged to cover the sides 20 of trailersection 14 and thereby block off access to cages 16 and cut down on thefree flow of air through cages 16. The tarpaulin system 18 is engaged asfollows. Catches 62, straps 64 and first ends 34 of second cablesections 26 b are released so that gates 60 and spars 28 are free torotate away from rear end 52 of trailer section 14. The operator graspsgates 60 and swings them in the direction of the arrow “A” (FIG. 9)until gates 60 and spars 28 are in contact with sides 20 of trailersection 14 (FIG. 10). Because tarpaulins 22 are held on support spars38, sheets 22 swing away from rear end 52 of trailer section 14 and intocontact with sides 20 of trailer section 14. The operator then engages amotor 68 (FIG. 6) that is operationally connected to lower winch 32, andunwinds a portion of first section 26 a of cable 26 from lower winch 32.The first end 28 of first section 26 a of cable 26 is then secured tothe first end 34 of second section 26 b of cable 26 (FIGS. 12 & 13). Theoperator engages motor 68 to wind up a portion of first section 26 a ofcable 26 so that the slack in cable 26 is taken up (FIG. 14) and cable26 is reasonably taut. The operator grasps the foremost stiffening rib48 a (FIG. 15) and walks toward the front end 70 of trailer section 14in the direction of arrow “B”, pulling the rib 48 a with him. As hewalks toward the front end 70 of trailer section 14, the folds intarpaulin 22 straighten out and the panels 46, 44, 42 and 40 aresequentially unfolded (FIGS. 15 through 18). When foremost stiffeningrib 48 a lies in close proximity to front end 70 of trailer section 14(FIG. 18), the operator secures stiffening rib 48 a to connector 58 a byengaging bolt 56 against rib 48 a (FIG. 5). The operator secures theother stiffening ribs 48 b, 48 c and 48 d to 58 bb, 58 c and 58 drespectively in the same manner. When in this position, tarpaulin system18 prevents access to cages 16 and furthermore substantially cuts downon the free flow of air through the cages 16. There is a substantialdecrease in the number of bird fatalities because the birds inside cages16 are not being buffeted about by the wind when the coop trailer 10 istraveling on the roads. The fatalities tend to also be reduced becausetarpaulins 22 aid in retaining heat within trailer section 14 in thewinter and create shade during the summer. It has been found that birdfatalities tend to decrease substantially when the tarpaulin system 18is engaged.

When the coop trailer's destination is reached, tarpaulins 22 areremoved from sides 20 of trailer section 14 to allow access to cages 16.In order to retract sheets 22, bolt 56 is disengaged from connector 58 athereby releasing rib 48 a and thereby panel 40 for movement along firstsection 26 a of cable 26. The operator grasps rib 48 a and walks towardthe rear end 52 of trailer section 14. As he does so, he pulls rib 48 awith him causing panel 40 to be drawn backwardly and to form folds 72(FIGS. 11-17). When rearmost fold 72 a of panel 40 reaches secured rib48 b (FIG. 17), connector 58 b is loosened. This allows rib 48 b andpanels 40 and 42 to slide along first section 26 a of cable 26. As panel42 is drawn toward rear end 52 of trailer section 14, it too folds up.When rearmost fold 72 b (FIG. 16) of panel 42 reaches next secured rib48 c, connector 58 c is loosened. This allows rib 48 c and panels 40, 42and 44 to slide backwards along first section 26 a of cable 26, over theconnection between ends 28 and 34 of cable 26 and onto second section 26b of cable 26. When rearmost fold 72 c reaches secured rib 48 d (FIG.15), connector 58 d is loosened so that rib 48 d and panels 40, 42, 44and 46 may slide backwardly. The rings 24 of folded panels 40, 42, 44and 46 slide onto spar 38 (FIG. 14) until front rib 48 a lies rearwardlyof the end 74 of spar 38. The tension on cable 26 is released byengaging motor 68 and unwinding a section of cable 26 from lower winch32. This allows cable 26 to drop downwardly toward the ground giving theoperator access to ends 28 and 34 of first and second cable sections 26a, 26 b. Ends 28 and 34 are disconnected from each other and motor 68 isengaged to wind some of the cable in first section 26 a onto lower winch32. When first end 28 is disposed proximate lower winch 32, with asegment of cable 26 still wrapping around upper pulley 30, first end 28is attached to a pin 76 (FIG. 11) to lock end 28 in place.

At this point, each tarpaulin 22 is folded up and is held on one of thespars 38 as is shown in FIG. 11. The operator then grasps rib 48 a orgate 60 and walks toward the rear end 52 of trailer section 14, rotatingspar 38 and gate 60 from the position shown in FIG. 10 to the positionshown in FIG. 8. Once sheet 22 abuts rear end 52 of trailer section 14,gates 60 are secured against tarpaulins 22 by catches 62. Straps 64 arepositioned and fastened to hold tarpaulins 22 against rear end 52 oftrailer section 14. Furthermore, each first end 34 of second cablesections 26 b is drawn across the respective tarpaulin 22 (FIG. 7) andis secured to a pin 66. This aids in holding sheets 22 in place and alsosecures cables 26 so that they do not flap around or interfere with theremoval of any cages 16 from coop trailer 10. At this stage, sides 20 oftrailer section 14 are open and the cages 16 containing the birds can beeasily accessed and removed from the trailer section 14. Once cages 16have been unloaded, the poultry can be removed from cages 16.

It will be understood that instead of the operator physicallymanipulating tarpaulins 22 by holding ribs 48 and walking along thesides 20 of trailer section 14, the movement of ribs 48 and thereforesheet 22 may be motor-driven. Furthermore, a handle or some othergrasping device may be provided on rib 48 a to aid in physicallymanipulating tarpaulin 22. It will be understood that tarpaulins 22 mayalso be only partially drawn across or retracted along the sides 20 oftrailer section 14. If this is the case, then foremost rib 48 a may besecured to any one of connectors 58 b, 58 c and 58 d.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed.

1. A method of transporting poultry in a coop trailer, said methodcomprising the steps of: loading a plurality of poultry coops onto a bedof an open-sided trailer; where the trailer has a first end, a secondend and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; drawing a pair ofcable-supported tarpaulins between the first end and the second end ofthe trailer so that each of the tarpaulins at least partially covers oneof the open-sides thereof, including the step of moving each tarpaulinfrom a storage position where the tarpaulin is disposed at an angle tothe longitudinal axis of the trailer; to an initial unfolding positionwhere the tarpaulin is disposed substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the trailer; and when the tarpaulins at leastpartially cover one of the open sides of the trailer they shield thepoultry coops on the bed; driving the trailer to a remote destination;withdrawing at least one of the tarpaulins by moving the tarpaulinoutwardly away from one of the open sides and at an angle to thelongitudinal axis of the trailer; whereby substantially the entire bedof the trailer is made accessible; and unloading the poultry coops. 2.The method of transporting poultry as defined in claim 1, wherein thestep of drawing the tarpaulins between the first and second endsincludes sliding each tarpaulin along a cable that is disposed betweenthe first and second ends of the trailer.
 3. The method of transportingpoultry as defined in claim 1, wherein the alignment of the storageposition is substantially at ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis ofthe trailer.
 4. The method of transporting poultry as defined in claim3, wherein the first end of the trailer is the rear end thereof and thestorage position is rearward of the rear end; and wherein the step ofmoving each of the tarpaulins from the storage position to the initialunfolding position includes the step of swinging an arm supporting thestored tarpaulin thereon from adjacent the rear end to adjacent one ofthe open sides of the trailer.
 5. The method of transporting poultry asdefined in claim 1, wherein the step of withdrawing the tarpaulinincludes the step of moving a section of the cable outwardly away fromthe open side of the trailer and at an angle to the longitudinal axisthereof with the tarpaulin when it is moved outwardly away from the openside of the trailer.
 6. The method of transporting poultry as defined inclaim 5, wherein the step of moving the tarpaulin outwardly away fromone of the open sides of the trailer is preceded by the step ofgathering the tarpaulin onto a swing arm disposed proximate one of thefirst and second ends of the trailer.
 7. The method of transportingpoultry as defined in claim 6, further comprising the step of detachinga connector at an end of the section of the cable prior to the step ofmoving the section of the cable with the tarpaulin outwardly away fromthe open side of the trailer.
 8. The method of transporting poultry asdefined in claim 6, further comprising the step of swinging the armsupporting the gathered tarpaulin thereon from adjacent one of the opensides of the trailer to adjacent one of the first and second ends of thetrailer and thereby into a storage position.
 9. The method oftransporting poultry as defined in claim 8, further comprising the stepof securing the swing arm against subsequent movement away from itsstorage position adjacent the one of the first and second ends of thetrailer.